SPIN-INS GIVE CUSTOMERS A NEW TURN AT WOOLLY CRAFT.

Byline: Stasia Scarborough Redding Record Searchlight 

When the shoes come off at Laura and David Noonkester's Redding store, it's time to walk back in time.

It's a spin-in, where wool turns to yarn and conversations to spinning, weaving, carding and the satisfaction that comes from making by hand what most buy from the store.

``There is real satisfaction in starting with a ball of fluff and ending up with a sweater,'' said Barbara Robbins of Fall River Mills, who has been spinning for 18 years.

Wood-N-Ewe, a store dedicated to spinning and weaving, holds a spin-in once a month for those who want to perfect their skill at turning wool to yarn the old-fashioned way.

You didn't think wool - or silk, or llama or dog or cat fur - automatically turned into socks, sweaters scarves or hats, did you?

Before there were department stores and mail-order catalogs, if you wanted a sweater, it first required turning the wool into yarn by feeding a slender strand of wool onto a spool with help from a spinning wheel.

Wheels are still sold today, and look much like those of 100 years ago, Laura Noonkester said. A large wooden wheel turns the smaller bobbin, and all is powered by a foot treadle. Most spinners take off shoes - and often socks - to get a better ``feel'' and avoid wear and tear on their wheels.

But spinning is more than just making yarn, David Noonkester said.

``Most (spinners) don't like man-made yarn and most commercial yarns are man-made fibers,'' he said.

But more than that, it's the process they like.

``It's meditative and fun,'' said Shari Boullion of Cottonwood, who has been spinning for two years.

``The crocheting is a way to get rid of the yarn,'' she said with a laugh.

Boullion started spinning two years ago when she and her family moved to Cottonwood and wanted to put their acreage to good use. Cattle were out, since the family doesn't eat meat.

She joined a spinning guild ``and that was the end of that,'' she said. The family now raises sheep.

Spinning is an art that takes patience and practice.

``Each lady has a personal style,'' said Venita Armstrong of Redding, who is a spinning newcomer.

She started at her wheel just three months ago and is now getting the hang of the work.

``I saved my first (spool of yarn); it was so fat and lumpy,'' she said as spinner Kerry Coholam of Redding complimented her progress.

Coholam wowed a recent group of spinners with her hand-carved spinning wheel. On one end is an intricately carved basket of berries, and throughout the frame the berry branch theme continues. Coholam only works it barefoot.

``It works beautifully,'' she said.

The spin-in gives novices and experts alike a chance to trade tips and ideas. Conversations aren't always centered on old-fashioned ways, either. At one point, the women exchanged opinions on Internet service providers.